I've seen "The Willy Moran Story" several times and am watching it again right now on MeTV. It's a truly great episode to kick off the long running series. The plot is fast moving and all the regulars are introduced.
The story begins as the train is leaving Olathe, Kansas to begin the long pull west. Willy Moran, former champion prizefighter and Major Adams' Civil War comrade, is now a staggering, unreliable drunk. He joins the train as a relief driver for a man who is actually the leader of the remnants of Quantrill's Raiders. The raiders plan to attack the train and steal a large supply of powder and shot being transported in the last wagon. Scout Flint McCullough is ahead of the train watching for them. Pretty Nancy Palmer, a widow with two small children, is traveling west with her father. She takes a real liking to Willy, and Willy likes her too. Eventually, the Raiders strike. Can Willy come through and be the man he once was?
Ernest Borgnine is great as Willy Moran. Marjorie Lord plays Nancy Palmer. Andrew Duggan and Kevin Hagen are two of the Raiders. The Major is introduced as a strong, tough leader with a heart of gold. Flint is the handsome, reliable wagon scout. "Chuck" Wooster is introduced as the cook and this is a chance to see what Frank McGrath looked like without his beard. He's clean shaven in the first few episodes. Bill Hawks begins as just another member of the train. Terry Wilson's role would be enlarged in subsequent episodes.
It's interesting that Quantrill's Raiders could be discussed with no explanation as to who or what they were. Back then, actual history was taught in the schools and the writers could logically assume that every viewer knew who Quantrill's Raiders were and what they did.
This is a highly entertaining episode to begin the long running western series.